Dining Pick of the Week: Cuba Cafe

2055 E. Tropicana Ave., 795-7070

Cuban cuisine is a fusion of cuisines from Spain, Africa and the Caribbean. Many think it's similar to Mexican, but the two have almost nothing in common. Instead, Cuban holds a closer resemblance to Puerto Rico or cuisine from the Dominican Republic. Several specialties are ropa vieja (spiced shredded beef with onion and peppers), roasted beef with potatoes, lechon asado (marinated roasted leg of pork with garlic, olive oil, lime), chicken tequila, mahi mahi with cilantro and lime, salmon with mango, seafood (shrimp, octopus, calamari, mussels) with yellow rice, cordero al horno (rack of lamb with spinach) and sautéed jumbo shrimp in homemade tomato sauce called camarones enchilados. The hot Cubano sandwich is roasted pork, ham, Swiss, mustard and pickles on Cuban bread. Other sandwiches include chicken chipotle, hamburger, roasted pork with raw onion and pan con bistec, thin sirloin steak pan fried on toasted Cuban bread with lettuce, tomatoes, onion and mayo. There are tapas and salads, and sides such as stuffed potato with beef, fried green plantains, sweet fried bananas and moros y cristianos, white rice and black beans with peppers, onion, garlic, bacon and cumin. Specialties begin at $9.95 and sandwiches at $5.95. Cuba Cafe is open daily from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. - Jack Bulavsky